Good afternoon, and welcome to our protection of Wales towards Argentina.
Make no mistake, it is a seismic sport for Wayne Pivac.
Warren Gatland’s successor inherited a crew ranked second on the earth in 2019.
He has managed to tug them right down to as little as ninth within the rankings throughout his tenure, and this yr Wales misplaced to Italy at dwelling for the Azzurri’s first Six Nations win since 2015.
A Six Nations championship win in 2021 when opposing sides appeared allergic to protecting 15 males on the sphere papered over a chasm in Welsh rugby.
Now, the knives are fairly rightly out once more.
He’ll doubtless maintain his job with the powers-that-be seemingly frightened to make adjustments this late right into a World Cup cycle.
However for 3 years Wales have regressed additional and additional below Pivac’s watch, to the extent the dearth of cohesion has morphed into an id disaster.
That 2021 Six Nations win and beating South Africa away for the primary time in historical past – albeit successfully a Springboks A facet – most likely saved Pivac’s job.
Right now seems like one other day that might purchase the Kiwi time ought to Wales handle the win.
He is made some daring calls – enjoying Louis Rees-Zammit at 15 in his first ever senior begin at fullback, and dropping probably the most capped man in worldwide rugby Alun Wyn Jones out of the matchday 23.
A return of the back-row axis of Lydiate-Tipuric-Faletau for the primary time since March 2012 feels extra balanced after one other failed Pivac experiment of Tipuric at 6 and Tommy Reffell at 7 towards the All Blacks.
Gareth Anscombe is again in his most well-liked place at fly-half, and Alex Cuthbert returns to the beginning line-up, with Rhys Priestland dropping to the bench.
Argentina come into this fixture with critical pedigree and have developed into a sophisticated Take a look at crew made up of a ferocious pack and thunderbolt backs.
This calendar yr, they’ve overwhelmed each New Zealand and now England away from dwelling and registered seven wins from their 12 video games.
Their losses – South Africa twice, New Zealand, Australia and Scotland.
In distinction, in 2022 Wales have solely mustered two wins from 9 – towards that weakened South Africa facet and Scotland within the Six Nations.